In many ways, the survival horror genre of video games has evolved substantially. New ways to play such as virtual reality and online multiplayer has allowed the genre to innovate in unique ways, such as the hit asymmetrical multiplayer game Dead By Daylight. This innovation proves that there is a huge and expanding market for fans of survival horror games that isn't going anywhere.
As such, many fans could attest to many classic survival horror games that deserve the spotlight once again in the new era of gaming. These are the games with incredibly unique narratives, gameplay, and characters that are still discussed and played today. Alternatively, there are others that are a product of the time in which they were released, and while they made an impact at the time of their original release, they may be better left untouched.
10 Remake: Clock Tower (SNES)
Released in 1983 by the company Human Entertainment, a now-disbanded Japanese video game developer, Clock Tower is a cult-classic game set in a haunted mansion. It follows the story of a young orphan named Jennifer Simpson, who is adopted along with 3 other girls, by the seemingly amicable Mary Barrows. When the other girls go missing, Jennifer must navigate through ghosts, monsters, and traps to either escape the mansion or defeat her captors.
Clock Tower is the perfect candidate for a game that would do excellent today if remade. At a time now when new ways of gaming are being explored, Clock Tower's emphasis on evasion and not directly fighting enemies, as well as its unique point-and-click gameplay style would surely catch the eye of survival horror fans.
9 Pass: Alone In The Dark (PC)
There is no denying that the 1992 game based on the works of H. P. Lovecraft Alone In the Dark is one of the defining entries in the entire survival horror genre. The limited combat options and 3rd-person perspective gameplay with fixed camera angles became a staple for the genre, with big names like Resident Evil taking inspiration just a few years later.
However, many of the elements of Alone In The Dark have been so overused at this point that a remake seems a bit pointless. While the exposition of the story is interesting, it isn't very groundbreaking, and the characters and the monsters aren't very memorable or unique.
8 Remake: Rule Of Rose (Playstation 2)
Capcom's Rule Of Rose is a subject of great interest and controversy. With a plot that garnered scrutiny so extensive that it was banned in entire countries, the game has been tucked away and isn't very well-known outside of survival horror enthusiasts. The game has been heavily criticized for including elements such as child abuse, which strangely is featured in other big names without scrutiny such as the Silent Hill series.
With one of the most unique plotlines in the entire genre, one of the biggest critiques of the actual game is its awkward controls and gameplay, which could definitely be resolved with a modern-day remake.
7 Pass: Nightmare On Elm Street (NES)
Survival horror games based on horror movies do have the capacity to be successful; just look at the success of Friday The 13th when it was released as a multiplayer game in 2017. However, Nightmare On Elm Street for the NES fell a bit flat as a survival horror game.
As a side-scroller that seems to take inspiration from the Castlevania series, the game is a bit generic; the player literally assumes the role of an "ordinary teenager." While the game does stand out a bit for its multiplayer feature, allowing for up to 4 simultaneous players, this game may be better left in 1989.
6 Remake: Silent Hill (Playstation)
As one of the biggest names in the survival horror genre, with the inception of countless sequels, spin-offs, and two films, the original Silent Hill entry in 1999 still holds up today. The game features a compelling plot, chilling monsters, and the iconic setting of Silent Hill.
Many fans are unaware of the fact that the iconic fog that appears throughout the town was actually a method by the developers of surmounting the limited capabilities of the Playstation at the time. With the importance of the original entry and how it connects to the later entries, it is only natural that it should be remade with the same capabilities that newer entries have access to.
5 Pass: Dino Crisis (Multiple Platforms)
A unique spin on the usual killers or paranormal monsters present in survival horror games, the Dino Crisis series pits players up against dinosaurs, with a persistent T-Rex akin to Nemesis in the Resident Evil series. Drawing upon elements of Resident Evil series with tank controls and cutaways when entering new areas, the original Dino Crisis was a hit.
Despite this, what made Dino Crisis stand out then may not hold up as well today. The game leans heavily into action gameplay and doesn't have as much emphasis on horror, and without a definitive fanbase to appeal to, it would most likely fade into obscurity aside from its cult following if remade today.
4 Remake: Fatal Frame (Playstation 2)
Released in 2001 with the tagline, "Based on a true story," Fatal Frame was a hit for its frightening apparitions and the gruesome tales of the people killed in the Himuro Mansion. The series is most well-known for the Camera Obscura: the player's only defense against the ghosts that pursue them.
As the industry finds newer ways to immerse players into the world of the video games that they play, developers could surely find unique ways to remake the original Fatal Frame.
3 Pass: Night Trap (Sega)
Another title surrounded by controversy, Night Trap is essentially an '80s slasher film that the player controls. Players assume the role of a secret agent tasked with uncovering the reasons behind the mysterious disappearances of teenage girls. The result: lots of vampires and lots of traps.
While this title can be argued to be the '80s version Five Nights At Freddy's, the overall premise is incredibly cheesy and doesn't have much depth. The actual gameplay is unique: however, corny '80s acting and vampires should stay in the '80s.
2 Remake: Obscure (Multiple Platforms)
Obscure is a survival horror game known for its cooperative multiplayer element. It follows 5 teenagers who uncover a grisly secret about their high school.
Despite the somewhat generic setting and story, the game is a great candidate to be remade as an online survival horror game.
1 Pass: Parasite Eve (Playstation)
Parasite Eve is a survival horror game for the Playstation, and while it does pit the player against disturbing creatures, it feels less like a horror game and more like an RPG.
The game has an interesting story, a unique setting, and the battle system is fun, but if true horror survival is the goal, Parasite Eve is fine left alone on the Playstation.